Pakistan travel to England for a three-match Test series from 19 August to 13 September 2026. The series counts toward the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, and it lands at a big moment for both teams.
Babar Azam is back as Pakistan’s captain, and Joe Root leads England for the first time since Ben Stokes retired from Test cricket.
Here is the full schedule, both squads, and the key storylines heading into the series.
Pakistan Tour of England 2026 at a Glance
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | Test series |
| Matches | 3 Tests |
| Dates | 19 August – 13 September 2026 |
| Venues | Headingley (Leeds), Lord’s (London), Edgbaston (Birmingham) |
| Competition | ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 |
| Pakistan captain | Babar Azam |
| England captain | Joe Root |
| Last meeting | Pakistan won the 2024 home series 2-1 |
ENG vs PAK Test Series 2026: Full Schedule and Fixtures
Every Test starts at 11:00 am local time (BST). That works out to 3:30 pm in India, 3:00 pm in Pakistan, and 6:00 am on the US East Coast.
| Test | Dates | Venue | Local Time (BST) | IST | PKT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | Aug 19-23 | Headingley, Leeds | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 2nd Test | Aug 27-31 | Lord’s, London | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
| 3rd Test | Sep 9-13 | Edgbaston, Birmingham | 11:00 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:00 PM |
Each Test is scheduled for five days, with a rest day built into the gap between matches for travel and preparation.
Pakistan vs England: Test Head-to-Head Record
Pakistan and England have met in Test cricket since 1954. England hold a narrow overall lead, though Pakistan have won the most recent series between the two sides.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 92 |
| England wins | 30 |
| Pakistan wins | 23 |
| Draws | 39 |
| Last series winner | Pakistan (2024, 2-1) |
Why This Series Matters for the WTC Table
Both teams need the points. When the squads were announced in early July 2026, Pakistan sat ninth and England seventh in the WTC 2025-27 standings.
Pakistan had just come off a rocky stretch under Shan Masood, who won only 4 of his 16 Tests as captain. England, meanwhile, are trying to find their footing after Stokes stepped away from red-ball cricket.
A series win here would give either side a real lift in the points table, with the next WTC final still some way off.
Pakistan Squad for the England Series
The Pakistan Cricket Board named a 17-member squad on 5 July 2026, with Saud Shakeel included on the condition that he passes a fitness test before the series starts. Four uncapped players made the cut.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Babar Azam (c) | Batter |
| Shan Masood | Batter |
| Imam-ul-Haq | Batter |
| Azan Awais | Batter |
| Saud Shakeel* | Batter |
| Salman Ali Agha | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Rizwan (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Aamir Jamal | All-rounder |
| Sajid Khan | Spinner |
| Mohammad Abbas | Pacer |
| Mohammad Ali | Pacer |
| Khurram Shahzad | Pacer |
| Muhammad Awais Zafar | Batter |
| Abdullah Fazal | Batter |
| Ali Usman | Spinner |
| Ubaid Shah | Pacer |
*Saud Shakeel’s spot depends on a fitness test closer to the series.
Ali Usman, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Ubaid Shah, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are all uncapped and could earn their first Test call-ups on this tour.
England Squad for the First Two Tests
England named a 16-man squad on 6 August 2026, but this list only covers the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord’s. A separate squad announcement is expected closer to the Edgbaston Test.
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Joe Root (c) | Batter |
| Ben Duckett | Opener |
| Emilio Gay | Opener |
| Jordan Cox | Batter |
| Harry Brook | Batter |
| Dan Lawrence | Batter/off-spin |
| Ollie Pope | Batter |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| Jofra Archer | Pacer |
| Gus Atkinson | Pacer |
| Brydon Carse | Pacer |
| Sam Cook | Pacer |
| Matthew Fisher | Pacer |
| Ollie Robinson | Pacer |
| Josh Tongue | Pacer |
| Shoaib Bashir | Spinner |
Jacob Bethell misses the entire series with a knee injury picked up during England’s ODI series against India. Jordan Cox steps into the number three spot in his place. Dan Lawrence returns to the Test side for the first time in two years after a strong County Championship season with Surrey.
ENG vs PAK: Key Storylines to Follow
Babar Azam’s second stint as captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board reinstated Babar in July 2026, replacing Masood after a difficult run of results. Babar last led Pakistan in a Test back in 2023, so this series marks a fresh start for him and the team.
Joe Root fills the leadership gap left by Stokes. Root previously captained England from 2017 to 2022. He takes charge again after Stokes announced his retirement from Test cricket, and this series is his first assignment back in the role.
A coaching transition in progress. Marcus Trescothick takes interim charge of England for this series. Stephen Fleming, the newly appointed head coach, is set to take over on a full-time basis later in the year.
Pakistan arrive with recent form on their side. Pakistan won the last series between these two teams 2-1, at home in October 2024. That result gives them some confidence heading into English conditions, even though home advantage flips this time.
Fresh faces on both sides. Pakistan hand out four uncapped players their maiden Test call-ups, while England recall Dan Lawrence and Ollie Pope after spells out of the side.
Where to Watch ENG vs PAK Test Series 2026
Sky Sports Cricket holds the UK broadcast rights and will show every Test live. In India, ECB’s home series usually air on the Sony Sports Network with streaming on Sony LIV, following the pattern set by England’s other home series this year.
Fans in Pakistan can typically expect coverage on PTV Sports or Ten Sports, alongside streaming apps such as Tapmad. Streaming and TV details can shift closer to the series, so it’s worth checking your local broadcaster nearer the first Test.
Conclusion: Pakistan tour of England 2026 Begins From 19th August
The Pakistan tour of England 2026 brings together two teams under new leadership, both looking to turn a difficult stretch around.
Babar Azam gets a second chance as captain, and Joe Root steps back into a role he knows well. With Headingley, Lord’s, and Edgbaston hosting the three Tests between 19 August and 13 September, this series should offer plenty of twists before it’s done.
